LOCH AWE 151 



"Well, Donald, what is the matter?" inquired 

 the minister, 



" Oh, he rose fine ! " replied Donald, with a sad 

 shake of his head. " I had hold of him — and then 

 he was away. I told you how it would be, Mr. 

 Marjoribanks ; we should have no luck with the 

 fishing the day ! " 



IV.— THE MINISTER AND THE SALMON 



It was on Loch Awe, just opposite to the hotel, 

 that Mr. Marjoribanks had his memorable battle 

 with a salmon. 



The weather had been dry that year for weeks. 

 The head of the loch was full of salmon waiting 

 for a spate to allow them to pass up the Orchy ; 

 consequently a good many boats were out daily, 

 trolling backwards and forwards, for the chance of 

 a fish. This, of course, necessitated Duncan of the 

 Hotel (that paragon of head-waiters) keeping a 

 sharp look-out from the terrace, in order to apprise 

 the visitors at the earliest moment, should such an 

 exciting event occur as the landing of a salmon. 

 It therefore goes without saying, that, when the 

 hotel was informed by the keen-eyed Duncan that 



